Parents of children associated with the Healing with Horses Foundation in Buccoo, Tobago are praising President Paula-Mae Weekes for visiting the organisation on her maiden visit to Tobago on Friday.
The visit was Weekes’ second scheduled stop on her first official visit to the island after she met hours earlier with Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Kelvin Charles at the Administrative Complex, Calder Hall.
During her visit to the Buccoo foundation, Weekes met with the owners, staff and members of the non-governmental organization (NGO).
The foundation, started in 2010 by Lennon and Veronika Danzer-LaFortune, creates a platform which allows differently-abled children and adults to spend time with horses, which they say is a form of alternative therapy. The organisation also engages the children in arts and crafts, music, dance, yoga, nature walks, gardening and sports.
Commenting on the the President’s visit, Ria Parrier, the parent of a seven-year-old child who was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum disorder, said she was pleasantly surprised by it.
“I am really glad that she came. I think it was an honour to have the head of state show interest in the work being done here, especially since the organisation depends on volunteers and donations,” Parrier said.
She also felt the visit would help the organisation, parents and children.
Another parent, Candice Hackette, whose three-year-old child was diagnosed with 5p Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder due to chromosome deletion, said she too felt honoured by the visit.
“Most times you would find that children with disabilities are cast aside or forgotten and to have the President show interest in the work of the organisation and the children here, it’s really heartening.”
Foundation’s owner Danzer-La Fortune shared similar sentiments. She had extended an invitation to Weekes to visit the facility soon after she was sworn in on March 19.
Danzer-La Fortune said she was anxious to share how the organisation helps differently-abled children and adults.
She noted that once the members spend time with the horses, they develop a strong sense of bonding and affection with them, adding that “they also benefit from physical strengthening and improved balance from horseback riding.”
She said in addition to riding the horses, the members are given the chance to groom and feed the animals at the stables.
LOYSE VINCENT